Reusable laxative: this “eternal” drug has been inherited

In ancient times, people used many strange methods and substances to heal. But perhaps the story of antimony tablets is truly amazing.

Antimony, or antimony, has been known since ancient times. In the Middle Ages, antimony was first used as a poison (because this substance is a deadly poison!), but gradually, through a dangerous experiment, it was discovered that a small amount of metalloid could cause vomiting or diarrhoea. This is also a consequence of intoxication, but at that time people did not think about such trifles. I used it, I got the result, I survived – excellent, I can recommend it to others.

And doctors invented an amazing remedy – for example, in London it could be bought already in 1600. It was proposed to swallow smooth antimony pills for constipation – and wait for the result. And after waiting, find your pill, clean it and hide it until you need it again.

The medicine was, if not eternal, at least very, very reusable. Gastric juices with prolonged use gradually reduced the pills, but the loss of usable volume was negligible. An expensive medicine was inherited, rented to neighbors, left as security for a debt … In a word, reusable pills for constipation were considered not only an effective remedy, but also an excellent investment.

They didn’t stop being used until the 19th century – advancements convinced the masses that antimony treatment was not a good idea. Now “eternal pills” can only be seen in the museum, and someone is unlikely to think of swallowing them (especially if you know the history of this so-called medicine).